Mental Health Associate Salary in the United States

How much does a Mental Health Associate make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mental Health Associate in the United States is $40,275 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, a Mental Health Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $47,998
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,284 to $44,317
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,650
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View as table View as graph 25% $36,284 10% $32,650 90% $47,998 75% $44,317 $40,275 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Mental Health Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $44,317 $3,693 $852 $21
Average $40,275 $3,356 $775 $19
25th Percentile $36,284 $3,024 $698 $17
Check out Mental Health Associate Job Openings in the United States
Mental Health Therapist

Renew Wellness - Columbus, OH

Mental Health Therapist

Maries House of Hope - Columbus, OH

Mental Health Therapist

Safe Harbour Counseling - Columbus, OH

Mental Health Worker Professional

George Junior Republic - Columbus, OH

Search More Mental Health Associate Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Mental Health Associate Salaries

A Mental Health Associate's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Mental Health Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mental Health Associate's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $41,106
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $89,070
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $103,172
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $136,932
  • Expert (over 8 years): $169,478
Levels Salary
Mental He... Level Mental Health Associate$41,106
Behaviora... Level Mental Health Associate$89,070
Behaviora... Level Mental Health Associate$103,172
Behaviora... Level Mental Health Associate$136,932
VP of Beh... Level Mental Health Associate$169,478
$41,106 0 yr
$89,070 < 2 yrs
$103,172 2-4 yrs
$136,932 5-8 yrs
$169,478 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Mental Health Associates

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $50,798
  • San Francisco: $50,242
  • Oakland: $49,183

What Skills Can Increase a Mental Health Associate's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 16.68% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Social Work (Mentioned in 3.01% Job Postings): Social work is an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals, families, groups and communities in an effort to enhance social functioning and overall well-being. Social functioning is the way in which people perform their social roles, and the structural institutions that are provided[by whom?] to sustain them. Social work applies social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, political science, public health, community development, law, and economics, to engage with client systems, conduct assessments, and develop interventions to solve social and personal problems; and to bring about social change. Social work practice is often divided[by whom?] into micro-work, which involves working directly with individuals or small groups; and macro-work, which involves working with communities, and - within social policy - fostering change on a larger scale.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 2.61% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 16.68%
Social Work 3.01%
First Aid 2.61%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Mental Health Associate's salary.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Child Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Applied Behavior Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment
$49,538
23%
Child Development
$43,094
7%
Applied Behavior Analysis
$41,886
4%
Social Work
$41,886
4%
Products and Services
$41,483
3%
Organizational Skills
$41,080
2%
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Mental Health Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Mental Health Associate roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Insurance, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Mental Health Associate positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Mental Health Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Mental Health Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$48,330$23.020%

How Education impacts a Mental Health Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mental Health Associates enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Mental Health Associate with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $38,567 and $40,902).

Mental Health Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Mental Health Associate
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 17.7%
Associates 12.6%
Bachelors 53.0%
Masters 16.4%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Mental Health Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Mental Health Associate's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Mental Health Associate

Salaries for a Mental Health Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $37,581 in 2023 to around $36,942 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mental Health Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Mental Health Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$37,581
2024
$37,225
2025
$36,942
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $37,581
2024 $37,225
2025 $36,942
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Mental Health Associate

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Mental Health Associate

Here are companies hiring for Mental Health Associate and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Mental Health Associate Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Mental Health Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Change Point Psychology

    Columbus, OH

    Change Point Psychology | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Please include a cover letter with your application. . Overview. Change Point Psychology (CPP) is a growing group practic... more

    4 Days Ago

  • FSC, Inc

    Columbus, OH

    FSC, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Mental Health Therapist. Step into a role where your schedule fills quickly steady referrals + full admin support so you can focus on clients, not paperwor... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Recreate Behavioral Health

    Columbus, OH

    Recreate Behavioral Health | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Recreate Behavioral Health of Ohio is seeking a Mental Health Group Facilitator to join our team of dedicated healthcare ... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Psychosocial Therapies

    Columbus, OH

    Psychosocial Therapies | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. Seeking full-time or part-time Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in the Columbus, Ohio and t... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Nationwide Childrens Hospital

    Columbus, OH

    Nationwide Childrens Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Job Title. Performs basic supportive and trauma-informed care to specified patients and families under the direction and supervision of registered nurse or... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Ohio Department of Commerce

    Columbus, OH

    Ohio Department of Commerce | Columbus, OH

    Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name-the Ohio Department of B... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Mental Health Associate

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Mental Health Associate?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Mental Health Associate roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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